Door handle



March 31, 1964 G, v, JAKEWAY 3,127,206

DOOR HANDLE Filed Jan. 18, 1960 I mil IN V EN TOR.

ATToRA/EK States Unire This invention relates toa bolt or latch releasing means for doors and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a bolt or latch releasing means for an automotive vehicle door or the like which is adapted to be installed in relatively thin doors for releasing a bolt or latch disposed in substantially spaced relation relative to the manu-al operating means.

Second, to provide a bolt or latch releasing means in which the bolt or latch is laterally spaced relative to the actuating means `and one in which there is a relatively small amount of friction in the operating means.

Third, to provide a bolt or latch actuating means lwhich is `adapted for use with widely varying types of bolts or latches and in which the bolts or latches may be in varying relations or positions relative to the manual actuating means.

Objects relating to details `and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow: The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims,

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragment-ary elevational view of an embodiment of my invention shown conventionally with certain parts partially broken away.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of FIG. l, illustrating the embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. l in mounted relation to the outer panel of a door.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 2 of a modied form or embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View through the conformable thrust element of FIG. 4.

In the accompanying drawing I have only illustrated such parts of the outer panel of the door as are deemed desirable to illustrate an adaptation of my invention. The panel 1 and bolt 2 and its support are shown conventionally. The bolt is shown in projected position in engagement with the keeper 3 which is shown in section. The bolt is slidably mounted in the casing 4 and the angled lever 5 is pivoted at 6 and has a slot 7 in the arm 8 thereorn engaging the pin 9 on the bolt. The other arm 1t) of the lever is engaged by the actuating rod 11 which is reciprocatingly mounted on the bracket 12 disposed on the inner side of the panel 1.

The bracket 12 serves as a support for the springs 13, one end of which is in thrust engagement with the collar 14 on the rod 11, the collar being supported by the pin 125. The handle is provided with a grip portion 16 having at one end thereof a socket 17, the socket having an inwardly projecting flange 18 at its outer end. This socket is cylindrical and has a bearing -1'9 for the inwardly facing cup shaped push button 29.

The push button is provided with an outwardly projecting llange 21 at its inner end which is a sliding fit within the socket. The push button is provided with a central inwardly projecting stem 22 and is yieldingly biased as by means of the coil spring 23 which is supported by the plate-like support member 24 and, in the embodiment illustrated, is secured to the inner end of the *7 socket portion of the handle bythe inturned lug or ange portion 25.

3,127,206 Patented Mar. 3l, 1964 *It will be noted that the push button stem 22 is, in this embodiment, `disposed substantially at right angles to the actuating rod 11 and `that the stem and the rod project into and are in reciprocating engagement with the ends 25 and 27 respectively of the tubular way member 28 which has a curved intermediate portion 29.

The thrust lballs or thrust elements 3d are disposed in the way member between the stem and the rod v11, as is illustrated. The spring 13 not only serves to return the rod 11 to its retracted position but also serves to urge the balls into engagement with each other and with the stem. rThe balls Btl rotatably and slidably fit within the curved intermediate portion of the way member and are under spring thrust engagement so that there is no rattling and they serve to transmit the thrust on the push button to the rod 11 with a minimum of frictional resistance.

In the embodiment of my `invention illustrated it is desired to point out that the end portions of the way member are disposed at an angle of degrees relative to each other, but this may be modied according to their adaptation for diiferent installment requirements. The steps in `assembly may be varied according to assembly conditions, for example, in the embodiment illustrated parts may be mounted on the inner side of the door member or panel with the way member projecting through the opening 14 therein, lballs inserted and the handle member with the stem` of t re push button projecting into the outer end of the w-ay member secured to the door panel. Handle mounting means are conventionally illustrated at 42 but it will be understood that these handle mounting means and body of the handle are in use subject to a wide variation in design and mounting means. l have not illustrated the means for mounting the bolt or its housing as such means are also widely varied in practice.

ln the embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the unitary thrust element 43 is substituted for the plurality of balls or spherical elements 30 of the preferred embodiment. In this modified embodiment, the member 43 is formed of flexible plastic material such for example `as is commercially known as Teflon which is flexible but substantially non compressible. To add to its exibility, it is provided with a series of V-shaped notches 44 in the portion thereof Iwhioh curves as it is translated endwise in the curved w-ay member 23. While the spherical translating thrust ball members 3() are preferred by the applicant, the member 43 has the advantage of there being fewer parts to handle in assembling, however, there is more friction involved in the manipulation of the device. Other than the matter of the thrust unit, both embodiments are identical, therefore, further illustration and description are not deemed necessary.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate other adaptations or modifications which are contemplated as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to `secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination, a door panel, a bolt mounted on the inner `side of said panel, a bolt actuating rod operatively associated with said bolt and reciprocatingly mounted on the inner side of said panel in substantially parallel relation thereto, a retracting spring on said rod, a handle disposed on the outer side of said panel and comprising a grip portion and a head port-ion merging into the grip portion and having a socket therein open at both ends with an inwardly facing shoulder at its outer end, a cupped push button slidably supported in the outer open end of said socket and provided with an outwardly projecting flange on its inner end slidable in the walls of the socket and coasting with said shoulder to limit the outward movement of said push button, a support member mounted on said handle at the inner end of said socket, a return spring for said push button seated on ysaid support member, said push button having a stem disposed within said spring, a tubular way member having inner and outer portions angularly disposed relative to each other and a curved intermediate portion, said way member being disposed with its inner portion at the inner side of said panel and with its outer portion projecting through and supportingly engaged with said support member, said bolt actuating rod and stem respectively reciprocatingly projecting into the said inner and outer portions of said way member, and a plurality of spherical thrust elements disposed in said way member between said push button stem and said bolt actuating rod, said thrust elements being slidably and rotatably supported within said intermediate portion f said way member, said retract-ing spring on said bolt actuating rod acting to hold said thrust elements in thrust engagement within said way member and with said stem on said push button.

2. In combination, a door panel, a bolt mounted on the inner side of said panel, a bolt actuating rod operatively associated with said bolt and reciprocatingly mounted on the inne-r side of said panel in substantially parallel relation thereto, a retracting spring on said rod, a handle disposed on the outer side of said panel and a socket therein, a push button slidably supported in said socket, a support member mounted on said handle at the inner end of said socket, a return spring lfor said push button seated on said support member, said push button having a stem disposed within said spring, a tubular way member having inner and outer portions angularly disposed relative to each other and a curved intermediate portion, the outer portion projecting through said panel and said support member into said socket, said bolt actuating rod and stem respectively reciprocatingly projecting into the said inner and outer portions of said way member, said way member being supportedly engaged with said support member and with said push button stern and a plurality of spherical thrust elements disposed in said way member between said push button stem and said bolt actuating rod, said thrust elements being slidably and rotatably supported within said intermediate portion of said way member, said retracting spring on said bolt actuating rod acting to hold said thrust elements in thrust engagement within said Way member and with said stem on said push button.

3. In combination, a door panel, a bolt mounted on the inner side of said panel, a -bolt actuating rod operatively associated with said bolt and reciprocatingly mounted on the inner side of -said panel in substantially parallel relation thereto, a retracting spring on said rod a handle disposed on the outer side of said panel and comprising a grip portion and a head portion merging into the grip portion and having a socket therein open at both ends with an inwardly facing shoulder at its outer end and a way member support at its inner end, a cupped push button slidably supported in the outer open end of said socket and provided with an outwardly projecting iiange on its inner end slidable in the walls of the socket and coacting with said shoulder to limit the outward movement of said push button, said push button having a stem, a tubular way member having inner and outer portions angularly disposed relative to each other and a curved intermediate portion, said bolt actuating rod :and stem respectively projecting into the said inner and louter portions of said way member, said way member being supportedly engaged with said support member and with said push but- -t'on stem and a plurality of spherical thrust elements disposed in said way member between said push button stem and said bolt actuating rod, said thrust elements being slidably and rotatably supported within said intermediate portion of said way member, said retracting spring on said bolt actuating rod :acting to hold said thrust elements in thrust engagement Within said way member and with said stem on said push button.

4. In combination, a door panel, a bolt mounted on the inner side of said panel, a bolt actuating rod operatively associated with said bolt and reciprocatingly mounted on the inner side of said panel in substantially parallel relation thereto, a retracting spring on said rod a handle disposed on the outer side of said panel and comprising a head portion having a socket therein and having a way support member thereon, a push button slidably supported in said socket, said push button having a stem, a tubular way member having inner and outer portions angularly disposed relative to each other and Ia curved intermediate portion, said bolt actuating rod and stem respectively reciprocatingly projecting into the said inner and outer portions orf said way member, said way member being supportedly engaged ywith said support member and with said push button stem and a curvature conformable thrust unit disposed in said way member between said push button stem and said bolt actuating rod, said thrust unit being slidably and rotatably supported within said intermediate portion of said Way member, said retracting spring on said bolt actuating rod acting to hold said thrust unit in thrust engagement within said way member and with said stem on said push button.

5. In combination, a closure member provided with a bolt, a spring biased actuated rod operatively associated with the bolt and reciprocatingly mounted on the inner side of the closure member, a handle disposed on the outer side of the closure member and comprising a grip portion and a reciprocatingly mounted push button operatively associated therewith and provided with an inwardly projecting stem, a tubular way mem-ber having an outer portion into which lsaid stem reciprocatingly projects -and an inner portion disposed in angular relation to said outer portion and into which said actuated rod projects, said way member having a curved intermediate portion, said handle being provided with supporting means for said way member disposed between said stem and said rod and coacting therewith to non tiltably support said way member and a curvature conformable thrust unit disposed in the curved intermediate portion of said wa;l member in thrust receiving engagement with said stem and in thrust translating engagement with said rod.

6. In combination, a closure member provided with a bolt, an actuating member operatively associated with the bolt, a handle disposed on the outer side of the closure member and comprising a grip portion and a reciprocatingly mounted push button operatively associated therewith and provided with an inwardly projecting stem, a tubular way member having an outer portion into which said stem reciprocatingly projects and an inner portion disposed in angular relation to said outer portion and into which said actuated actuating member projects, said Way member having a curved intermediate portion, said way member being supportedly mounted on said handle, said stem and actuating member coacting with said support to prevent tilting of said way member on its said support and a curva-ture conformable thrust unit disposed in the curved intermediate portion of said way member in thrust engagement and `with said stem and thrust translating engagement with said actuating member, and spring means acting to return and yieldingly hold said push button and actuating member in retracted position.

7. The combination of a handle, an actuating member provided with a Istem reciprocatingly mounted on said handle, an actuated member disposed in angular relation to said stem, a tubular way member having an outer portion into which said stem reciprocatingly projects and an inner portion into which said lactuated member reciprocatingly projects, said way member having a curved intermediate portion merging into said outer and inner portions, `said way member being supportedly mounted on said handle, said stem and actuated member coacting with said ysupport to maintain said way member to prevent tilting of said Way member on its support and a plurality of thrust |balls disposed in said intermediate portion of the Way member in thrust engagement with each other and with said stem and said actuated member.

8. The combination of a handle, an actuating member provided with a stem reciprocatingly mounted on said handle, an actuated member disposed in angular relation to said stem, a tubular Way member havin an outer portion into which said stem reciprocatingly projects and an inner portion into which said actuated member reciprocatingly projects, said Way member having a curved intermediate portion merging into said outer and inner portions, said Way member being supportedly mounted on said handle, said stem and actuated member coacting with said support to maintain said Way member to prevent tilting of said Way member on its support and a curvature conformable thrust unit disposed in said intermediate portion of the Way member in thrust engagement with said stem and said actuated member.

9. The combination of a handle, an actuating member provided with a stem, an actuated member disposed in angular relation to said stern, a tubular Way member having an outer portion into which said stern reciprocatingly projects and an inner portion into which said actuated member reciprocatingly projects, said Way member having a curved intermediate portion merging into said outer and inner portions, supporting means for said tubular way member disposed between said actuating and said actuated members, and a unitary curvably conformable thrust member of generally cylindrical cross section slidably fitting Within said Way member and having a plurality of closely positioned V-shaped notches facing the inner curved side of said Way member, said notches being of a depth of approximately one half the diameter of the said member.

l0. The combination of a handle, an actuating member provided With a stem, an actuated member disposed in angular relation to said stem, a tubular Way member having an outer portion into which said stem reciprocatingly projects and an inner portion into which said actuated member reciprocatingly projects, said way member having a curved intermediate portion merging into said outer and inner portions, supporting means for said tubular Way member disposed between said actuating and said actuated members, and a unitary curvably conformable thrust member of generally cylindrical cross section slidably iitting Within said Way member and having a plurality of closely positioned V-shaped notches facing the inner curved side of said Way member, said notches being of substantial depth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 719,087 Chistensen Ian. 27, 1903 2,887,866 Leslie et al. May 26, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,119 Denmark June 3, 1918 

8. THE COMBINATION OF A HANDLE, AN ACTUATING MEMBER PROVIDED WITH A STEM RECIPROCATINGLY MOUNTED ON SAID HANDLE, AN ACTUATED MEMBER DISPOSED IN ANGULAR RELATION TO SAID STEM, A TUBULAR WAY MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER PORTION INTO WHICH SAID STEM RECIPROCATINGLY PROJECTS AND AN INNER PORTION INTO WHICH SAID ACTUATED MEMBER RECIPROCATINGLY PROJECTS, SAID WAY MEMBER HAVING A CURVED INTERMEDIATE PORTION MERGING INTO SAID OUTER AND INNER PORTIONS, SAID WAY MEMBER BEING SUPPORTEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID HANDLE, SAID STEM AND ACTUATED MEMBER COACTING WITH SAID SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN SAID WAY MEMBER TO PREVENT TILTING OF SAID WAY MEMBER ON ITS SUPPORT AND A CURVATURE CONFORMABLE THRUST UNIT DISPOSED IN SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE WAY MEMBER IN THRUST ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STEM AND SAID ACTUATED MEMBER. 